Police Arrest Four, Recover Stolen Vehicles in Enugu, Anambra

The Enugu State Police Command has detained four suspects and recovered three vehicles reported stolen in Enugu and Anambra States, including one linked to a 2022 kidnapping incident.

In a statement in Enugu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the arrests were made in separate intelligence-led operations carried out by different tactical units of the Command.

According to him, operatives attached to the Central Police Station, in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, on February 26 at about 5:30 a.m., apprehended 22-year-old Joseph Nsor at Chris Chemist Roundabout in Enugu.

Ndukwe disclosed that the suspect, who had arrived in Enugu the previous day without a verifiable address, was intercepted while attempting to flee with a stolen Toyota Hiace bus. He reportedly gained access to the vehicle and started it using a master key.

“The vehicle was successfully recovered and its rightful owner identified. The suspect was arraigned in court on February 27 and subsequently remanded at the Enugu Correctional Centre.

“In a separate operation conducted on January 31 at about 6:00 p.m., operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested Ugwuanyi Samuel, also known as “Sammyblack,” identified as a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.

“He was found in possession of a red Toyota Camry, popularly referred to as “Spider,” bearing a National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) plate number.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle belonged to a female resident of Ogbunike, Anambra State, and had been snatched in June 2022 after her son was abducted at gunpoint while driving it. The victim was reportedly released after a ransom payment of ₦500,000, while the vehicle was taken away and repainted.

In another operation on January 24 at about 9:00 a.m., the Tactical Squad, acting on actionable intelligence, raided the New Garriki area of Awkunanaw in Enugu, leading to the arrest of two suspects: 27-year-old Chinonso John and 41-year-old Samuel Nwankwor, an ex-convict.

A red Toyota Matrix with registration number AAH 785 AE was recovered during the operation. The suspects reportedly confessed to snatching the vehicle at gunpoint in Awka, Anambra State, on January 23. They are also alleged to have participated in other vehicle theft operations involving a Lexus RX 350 and a Toyota Highlander.

Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional accomplices, while the remaining suspects and recovered exhibits will be transferred to the Anambra State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and urged residents to provide credible information while adopting basic vehicle security measures.